Question:

Half a year has gone by since Hamas’ massacre. How close has Israel come to its goal of wiping out the terrorist organisation?

Annalena Baerbock:

Many terrorist units have been destroyed. But the missile attacks against Israel are continuing as Hamas still wants to wipe Israel off the map. And many of the hostages abducted in the most brutal way on 7 October are still not free – more than 100 women, men and children, the youngest of whom is one year old. The terror of 7 October wasn’t a disaster just for Israel, but also for the Palestinians. More than one million people in Gaza are at acute risk of famine. It’s almost impossible to imagine the suffering of a mother or a father in Gaza who doesn’t know how they’re supposed to keep their child alive for another day.

Question:

When will the guns fall silent?

Annalena Baerbock:

In order for there to be a genuinely lasting ceasefire, Hamas must lay down its arms so that the Israeli army can withdraw. But Hamas isn’t doing that. That’s why we’re working with Qatar, Egypt, the Americans and others to ensure that there is at the very least a deal leading to a further humanitarian ceasefire, that further hostages are released and that more food and medicine can reach the suffering population at long last. I had hoped that this would be possible before Ramadan. But these hopes have unfortunately been dashed.

Question:

You have called on Israel to break free from its “terrorist playbook”. What do you mean by that?

Annalena Baerbock:

Hamas is deliberately banking on the fact that the suffering in this war will become so great for the civilian population that its terror will be forgotten. That’s why we, the German Government, have called on the Israeli Government from the outset to remember one thing: the stronger the military action, the stronger the protection of the civilian population must be. I urgently call on the Israeli Government to finally allow sufficient food and medical supplies to reach the people in Gaza, because humanity is indivisible. Hunger also plays into the hands of the terrorists. Too little humanitarian aid also puts Israel’s own security at risk.

Question:

Would an Israeli ground offensive in the city of Rafah be an act of terror?

Annalena Baerbock:

As I said, terrorism continues to emanate from Hamas. Especially from the south of Gaza. That’s unacceptable. But there are also a million people seeking shelter in Rafah who can’t just vanish into thin air. There must be no large-scale offensive against Rafah. Such an offensive would also put Israel’s security at risk.

Question:

Does the Netanyahu Government have your ear? You received a rather frosty reception in Jerusalem …

Annalena Baerbock:

I’ve been to the region seven times in the past five months, exchanging messages with the Israeli Government almost on a daily basis. You have to stay in close dialogue, particularly in difficult situations. And especially as friends of Israel, we must do everything we can to ensure that the only democracy in the Middle East doesn’t lose itself on account of the actions of its government in the war in Gaza. Especially as Germany’s Foreign Minister, I feel that I have a duty to do everything in my power to ensure that not only does this war come to an end, but that future generations of Israelis are finally free from terror forever. This will only succeed if future generations of Palestinians can live in freedom and security at long last, in a state of their own. Together with the Americans, I’m making it clear to the Israeli Government that the two-state solution is the only pathway to peace.

Question:

What will happen after the war? Who should control the Gaza Strip?

Annalena Baerbock:

The Palestinians – free from Hamas, free from terror, as a self-determined people with a freely elected government of all Palestinians, including in the West Bank.

Question:

Is that realistic?

Annalena Baerbock:

That won’t happen overnight. But we mustn’t lose sight of the political horizon, particularly now during the war. That’s why we’re working day in, day out, especially with our Arab partners, to ensure that the two-state solution remains within reach. This includes building up a civilian infrastructure, reforming the Palestinian Authority, economic reconstruction – and a security structure, with security guarantees for Israel and for the Palestinians. And part of this is reminding the Israeli Government that the settlement policy not only gets in the way of a Palestinian state, but also literally gets in the way of peace. Because only the two-state solution can bring lasting peace and security for the people in Israel.

Question:

Should Germany also guarantee security?

Annalena Baerbock:

This is about protection for a transitional period before two states can exist side by side in peace. That can only work with international security guarantees. Israel must be sure that a terrorist threat will never again emanate from Palestine, and Palestinians must be sure that they can live in security and dignity on their own land. This means, of course, that neighbouring Arab countries, which enjoy trust in the region, must be involved. But also close friends of Israel, which is why we Germans, alongside the Americans and the British, are so concerned about the political horizon.

Question:

War in the Middle East, war in Ukraine – is there anything that gives you hope this Easter?

Annalena Baerbock:

Yes – all those who aren’t succumbing to populism and thinking in terms of black and white at this brutal time, but who are standing up for the indivisibility of our humanity. In the face of suffering and fear, it’s sometimes easier, of course, to simply ignore one side or one type of suffering. But that doesn’t make the brutality of war go away. We must never lose hope, because ruthlessness will hold sway in the world if we do. Particularly in view of those brutal conflicts, it’s crucial that we try to make headway towards security and peace every day – be it in the Middle East or in Ukraine.

Question:

The peace movement is once again calling for Easter marches. What message should they send?

Annalena Baerbock:

Humanity is indivisible. Everything else is extremely dangerous. People in Israel mustn’t be played off against people in Palestine. And we mustn’t play off our desire for peace against peace in Ukraine. Also here, this is a question of “and”, not “but”. Ukraine’s security is also our security at the end of the day.

Question:

The Pope has suggested that Ukraine raise the white flag …

Annalena Baerbock:

I can understand that you sometimes long to return to a time when peace seemed to be a given. My generation was also very fortunate to grow up in such a time. But we can’t close our eyes to reality.

Question:

Meaning?

Annalena Baerbock:

Engaging in peace policy at a time when Russia, the US and Europe were talking about disarmament out of a common interest is not the same as engaging in peace policy at a time when Russia is waging a brutal war of aggression against Ukraine and the peaceful order in Europe. Anyone who fails to recognise or ignores this isn’t strengthening peace and international law but is strengthening the law of the strong. After all, if Ukraine can no longer defend itself because we’re not supplying it with enough weapons, Putin’s troops will be on the Ukrainian-Polish border tomorrow – a mere eight-hour drive from Berlin. Ukraine is also safeguarding our peace. And we must protect this peace not only until the next election, but also in the long term – for the future of our children.

Question:

Putin now admits that Islamists carried out the terrorist attack in a Moscow suburb. But he continues to see a link with Ukraine. What are the consequence of this?

Annalena Baerbock:

We cannot afford to be naive. The Russian President has tested the cohesion of us Europeans time and again since the invasion in February 2022. Putin is not only waging war with his military, but also with fake news, manipulation and targeted interference – the recent revelations by the Czech Government are just one example of how Russia is looking to undermine our democracies. Following the attack on the concert hall near Moscow, Putin himself has been exploiting grief and suffering in his own country for his war propaganda. We mourn with the Russian families who have lost their loved ones in this brutal way.

Question:

Are you preparing yourself for a further escalation of the war in Ukraine?

Annalena Baerbock:

There have long since ceased to be limits to the brutality in Putin’s war. He’s making it abundantly clear that he’s not amenable to rational arguments or humanity. And he certainly doesn’t want to negotiate. My African counterparts have tried to at least return the abducted children to their parents. But Putin’s response to this was just more bombs and further dehumanisation, including in his own country. That’s fatal and tragic – for the people in Ukraine and also for the people in Russia. But we will not be intimidated by Putin’s policy of dehumanisation. After all, we can only win peace and humanity in Europe with our own strength.

Question:

Can Ukraine still win the war?

Annalena Baerbock:

It doesn’t bear thinking about if it were to lose. Humanity must prevail. And that’s what Ukraine stands for in its fight against Putin’s blind and destructive hatred. If Putin wins, the security of all of us in Europe and the international order would also be at risk. Supporting Ukraine is our own security guarantee.

Question:

What would the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles do to change the course of the war?

Annalena Baerbock:

I have commented extensively on Taurus and don’t think that the ongoing public discussion on this issue will get us one step further. Part of Russia’s war propaganda seeks to divide and destabilise Western democracies. We cannot allow that to happen. This is even truer when we’re facing elections – such as the European elections and federal state elections in Germany.

Question:

Do you now know why Chancellor Olaf Scholz doesn’t want to supply Ukraine with Taurus missiles? Has he been scared off by Putin?

Annalena Baerbock:

The Chancellor isn’t afraid of Putin.

Question:

CDU leader Friedrich Merz hopes that the governing coalition will collapse prematurely and has brought 22 September into play as the date for fresh elections. Do you find that amusing? Or is his suggestion not so far-fetched?

Annalena Baerbock:

Actually, I’m always up for a spot of humour. But everyone who loves our country, who appreciates the security and prosperity we enjoy here, should realise that times are too serious for party political games. What we need now is Germany as an anchor of stability – for our own people and for our Europe.

Just as people are taking to the streets in protest against the erosion of our democracy and against right-wing extremism, we as politicians have a responsibility to ensure that our liberal society and the institutions that support it are stable, especially in times of crisis. We must all be constitutional patriots right now – in government and in opposition, despite all justified differences on this matter. This is our shared political responsibility.

Question:

The next Bundestag elections are scheduled for September 2025. Do you want to be the Greens’ candidate for Chancellor again?

Annalena Baerbock:

There’s a time for everything, including for an answer to this question.

Interview: Jochen Gaugele and Thorsten Knuf

www.morgenpost.de